Moy Mell, 9: Don't You Want Me

"Moy Mell, 9: Don't You Want Me"

orig. 12/06/2017

Zoro, Elly, Sanji, Volkner - PG-13

Original Concept, mixed fandoms

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Neuro was fast - he'd told them it would only take a short while and he was right. Word spread, and reporters jumped at the chance to speak to them about what had happened. Sanji went into his room aside the kitchen to freshen up after Elly had eaten. Some time after this Zoro skulked by looking more pissed off than usual. She flicked her tail and turned away from him. For some reason she was angry at the big man, understandable since he had done the unthinkable to her as a demon. She didn't have any mark to show what had happened, but the skin on her forehead still hurt. Elly also didn't know what had possibly happened to force him to such extreme measures. In her mind, he could have just restrained her; she believed he was strong enough.

"It's in a quarter of an hour."

The big man sighed, shifting his words around on the sash he wore around his coat. "All right," he said shortly. "Grab the shitty cook and let's go."

"No," she stated flatly.

Zoro froze in his tracks. "You said what?"

"I said 'no'," Elly repeated firmly. Her ears laid down against her skull, a clear indication that she was upset yet she continued. "I don't want you. Pick someone else."

"But ..." He reached out, barely knowing what he was doing.

"Pick someone else." She shrugged off his hand on her shoulder, walking quickly to the kitchen door and out to the main entrance. Zoro stared stupidly as the door shut in front of him, then swore softly under his breath. He chose two guards he trusted the most for the task and sent them a quick message to let them know. When he was certain they were on their way, he angrily crammed his phone back into his haramaki and stormed off to the gym. He was not alone but there weren't many that stayed when they saw his thunderous expression. In fact, only one was left, a spiky-haired man he'd rarely seen around and didn't pay attention to now.

He stripped to the waist and went through a few different routines before resorting to his favorite, weight lifting, when the conference began. Several large screens scattered throughout the gym were broadcasting and he watched grimly as he pulled two huge barbells slowly in each hand.

Neuro, Sanji and Elly with the two guards he'd picked had all gathered at the gardens in front of the main mansion. There were many that weren't available to the public and were perfect for events like this, safely keeping some distance from the compound while providing a buffer from the park fans. The couple announced their relationship and Sanji kissed her cheek, blushing and sliding an arm about her waist. Photos were taken in abundance, enough so that the blond cook snuck in a few more kisses. Elly started to giggle when he overdid the smooching, grabbing his tie in one hand and tugging to signify that they needed to talk to the press, not just pose. He looked forlorn and everyone laughed.

"Sorry, folks," he smiled. "I get carried away - you can see why, right?" His smile turned into a huge grin, clearly unfeigned. He stole yet another quick peck on her cheek and she groaned theatrically.

"Saaanjiii."

"Sorry, sorry." He held his hands up.

"It's okay." She absently kissed him this time and his eyes widened comically. More photos, more laughter and overall there seemed to be a feeling of goodwill. Things were working beautifully; no one mentioned the stalker in their haste to ask questions about their new relationship. He brought the recent incident up first.

"Again, it's my fault," he apologized meekly, looking down. He lifted his head, bringing the full impact of his blue eyes upon the cameras. "I asked her to be mine yesterday, and I was far too romantic. The poor dear fainted." He took her hand in his and lifted it to his lips. One of the female reporters actually fanned herself with the notecards she held in her hand and another cameraman caught this on tape. It went viral almost immediately after someone mixed the scenes, showing how it happened in sequence.

"I did," Elly admitted shyly - it was true, after all -- and there was some scattered applause. The questions came faster after this, but they had agreed to only so much time and it was soon over. The couple stood, the guards hovering discreetly in the background, and Sanji paused as he caught sight of them. He let go of her hand and made certain that he was facing everyone in the gathering.

"That said, know this," he stated in a deadly quiet voice. "I will personally kick the living shit out of anyone that tries to hurt my lady."

Back in the gym, Zoro ground his teeth together, setting the weights he held down with excessive force. "Little fucker," he spat. "Talking trash you can't back up."

The other guy heard him and walked over from where he'd been heading to the showers. "He's really protective of her, you know."

"Shut up, Volkner," Zoro grunted.

But the pokemon gym leader pressed on. "And he's strong. What makes you think he can't back it up?" When Zoro swore louder at him he stepped back a pace. "Wait, you know that. You guys've fought before." He gasped, a hand stealing to his mouth to conceal the hint of a smile. "Don't tell me you wanted -" Unable to sense the danger, he only got part of this last sentence out because the big man rolled off the weight bench in one fluid movement, grabbed his swords and unsheathed one with a steely rasp. "Crap!"

"Get out!" He glared at him across the shining blade, veins standing out in his neck. The dark pupil in his single eye looked tiny, the bulging white dwarfing it in his rage. The other man had never seen Zoro this way before, and he didn't want to stick around to see what would happen if he pushed him farther. He rushed for the elevator, thinking he'd be better off taking a shower in his own apartment than risking being anywhere near the swordsman right now. Zoro stood half-crouched, breathing hard as he slowly slid his sword back into the sheath. "Shit," he muttered shakily, running a hand through his hair and ruffling the bangs that had grown a little long over his forehead the last month or so. Better stay up here the rest of the night, he thought wearily. There was food enough in the kitchen area and bar in front of the arcade, and he'd told those two to guard her the rest of the day. He could also watch from the security screens if need be.

He sat with a thump onto the weight bench, still hunched over. Elly had told him she didn't want him. Not 'not today' or 'now'. She had said, 'I don't want you'.

Try as he might he couldn't stop hearing her say it over and over again in his mind.